Demand for livestock products is expected to soar in coming decades, representing a key source of sustainable, long-term income for the global poor. Yet one-quarter of animals owned by poor livestock smallholders die from disease. Developing and marketing safe, effective vaccines against these often-neglected diseases has the potential to end the cycle of poverty while addressing the serious public health risks associated with some diseases.
Through a series of global competitive calls, the Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund (LVIF) supports research into vaccine solutions. The current call for proposals is aimed at supporting novel ideas or innovations for improving the existing livestock vaccines in sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia.
Specifically, this call is seeking innovative vaccine projects focused on:
increasing the duration of immunity by better induction and maintenance of immunological memory;
reducing the number of primary vaccinations and/or revaccinations;
improving overall vaccine safety; and
developing universal vaccines capable of protecting livestock against multiple strains, subtypes, or serotypes.
LVIF is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Affairs Canada, and Canada’s International Development Research Centre.
Grants: Up to six research projects will receive funding for a maximum of CA$1 million each.
Eligibility: This call is open to applicants from research-focused organizations including the private sector, academia, and research institutes from around the world.
Application deadline: March 21, 2017
About LVIF
The Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund is a partnership between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Affairs Canada, and IDRC. It represents a joint investment of CA$57 million over five years to support the development, production, and commercialization of innovative vaccines against priority livestock diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
